Police officers, sheriff’s deputies and their supervisors from throughout Broome County today attended a training to learn effective strategies for managing sex offenders who live in their communities.

The Office of Sex Offender Management and the Office of Public Safety at the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS), in partnership with the New York State Association of Chiefs of Police and the New York State Sheriffs’ Association, sponsored the training, which was held at the Broome County Sheriff’s Law Enforcement Academy in Binghamton and attended by more than 20 law enforcement officials.

The three-hour training was the ninth of 11 sessions that are being held across the state in August and September. The free training explored a variety of topics, including an overview and update on relevant sex offender laws, the responsibilities of offenders and law enforcement, particularly in the areas of address verification and community notification.

DCJS maintains the state’s Sex Offender Registry and works in partnership with local law enforcement to ensure the information on the registry is accurate and up-to-date. Information about all offenders on the registry can be accessed via a toll-free telephone number (1-800-262-3257) and information about Level 2 and Level 3 offenders is available by visiting the DCJS website – www.criminaljustice.ny.gov – and clicking on the link to “Sex Offender Registry.”

“DCJS is committed to providing our law enforcement partners across the state with training and education to enhance their knowledge and skills so they can better serve their communities,” DCJS Commissioner Denise E. O’Donnell said. “We rely on police officers and sheriff’s deputies to help ensure the integrity of our sex offender management system and the accuracy of the information on the state’s Sex Offender Registry. I’m pleased that we could join with the Chiefs’ and Sheriffs’ associations to offer this important training.”

Mark A. Spawn, director of research, development and training for the Chiefs’ Association, said: “The New York State Association of Chiefs of Police appreciates the opportunity to work with DCJS in this special training initiative. The role of the police is crucial to the success of New York’s sex offender laws. This program will provide information, tips and resources for law enforcement officers on issues such as address verification, enforcement and policy.”

Added Peter R. Kehoe, executive director of the Sheriffs’ Association: “Sheriffs’ Offices across the state – whether they serve rural, suburban or urban communities – face the same challenges when it comes to monitoring sex offenders in their jurisdictions. The Sheriffs’ Association is committed to ensuring that our members have the education and training necessary so they can provide the best service possible to their constituents. We are proud to partner with our colleagues at DCJS and the Chiefs’ Association in this important initiative.”

The Office of Sex Offender Management at DCJS oversees the state’s Sex Offender Registry, advises the Governor and Legislature on sex offender issues, establishes standards and guidelines concerning how best to supervise and manage these individuals and better protect the public, trains law enforcement and other professionals and creates community prevention and education campaigns.

In addition to providing training, continuing education and support to law enforcement, the DCJS Office of Public Safety administers the Law Enforcement Accreditation Program and operates an equipment repair center, where law enforcement agencies can bring their speed and alcohol detection instruments for repair and calibration.

DCJS is a multi-function criminal justice support agency with a variety of responsibilities, including collection and analysis of statewide crime data; operation of the DNA databank and criminal fingerprint files; administration of federal and state criminal justice funds; and support of criminal justice-related agencies across the state.